Sold.

rhedden

SOLD

This is a "buy it now" listing for an 1851-O Seated Liberty half dollar with details of AU55 or so, which has retoned after an old, light cleaning. The front of the coin has medium-dark toning with what I call "oil slick" colors; somewhat attractive, but not original. There is evidence of an old cleaning, and there is some scuffing and hairlining in the right obverse field, in part from circulation, and partly due to the cleaning. There is a small patch of environmental damage at the upper right next to the cap, which is basically a heavily toned, dull spot. This is possibly removable, but I don't want to mess with it. The strike is unusually good, with lots of detail remaining in the head/hair. The reverse is only lightly toned, and there are some light hairlines in the fields, though the eye appeal is still pretty good (it's not hideously polished). There is some natural luster shining through, especially on the reverse. The sharpness of the eagle's feathers is more than enough for the AU grade level. Overall, this has the look of a coin that was cleaned decades ago, then stored in an album. I have owned many Seated coins with this type of toning, and I sincerely doubt it is artificial.

As far as price goes, I found the following information. The last four coins in the Heritage archivesin the AU grade range were: ANACS AU50 details, cleaned; not as nice as this coin; $322 on 2/19/08. ANACS AU50 details, cleaned; similar eye appeal compared to this coin; $373.75 on 4/16/07. ANACS AU50 details, cleaned; harshly cleaned and ugly; $207 on 11/7/06. ANACS AU55 details, cleaned; a real dog with pitting and harsh scrubbing; $149.50 on 2/19/08. As you can see, they have auctioned no PCGS or NGC coins in the AU grade range in the past 2-3 years. Dick Osburn is offering two "AU50 details, lightly cleaned" coins at $475 and $525. I viewed these at the last Baltimore show. The 1851-O half is notoriously difficult to locate in high grade without cleaning or other problems. At least this one comes with good pictures, a generous return policy (14 days, any reason). A PCGS AU50-55 will cost you double or triple the price of this one. First PM reserves this coin.

Price: $325 delivered (check/m.o.) or $334.75 delivered (Paypal).

seateddime

that is a nice coin for the money, if I did not have one I would that price for it.